Face down in the mud, he paused before he rose

'Women pay a fortune and I'm covered to my toes'

Back among the runners, he tried again to jump

Over the high barriers, but he really got the hump

 

When soon for the third time he took a mighty fall

'You'd think that after all this time my feet would now play ball'

Some weeks went by before he had to go and seek some help

With pains rising up his legs that often made him yelp

 

He's waiting for the test results, the last one in the room

A sense of foreboding came over him, a heavy mist of gloom

The nurse came out to call him, with care he found his feet

And shuffled as he made his way, the specialist to meet

 

'Degenerative problems within your spinal cord

Sadly not the best news that you've ever heard

We can offer some medication to ease the pain a bit

A cure is not an option, it's not something that you did'

 

'Within a few months maybe, a wheelchair you will need

Driving won't be easy, with controls you might succeed

Did someone come here with you, it is hard news I know

Perhaps we can help a little, call a taxi when you go?'

 

A blow like that can often make your heart stop for a mo'

And as he thanked the big man, he felt his was running slow

'I'll have to rethink everything, I feel I need a drink

Never did I imagine, just how low my luck would sink'

 

Seven years later, with his fortune made in print, 

He looked back on that moment which had made him think

'I don't think if I walked still, I'd have all of this fame

There is no doubt about it, life is a strange old game'

 

He turned and met the smiling face of his one and only love

She was his nurse, his carer, surely sent from up above

Well that's what some would tender as a reason she was there

But he knew that in reality, an agency had said she'd care

 

In the first weeks, it was hardest, giving up his rights

To walk and take his own baths, but then he thought one night

Something in her eyes and smiles gave her love away

And inspired by her beauty, he wrote his first hit play

 

Well now prospects grow again, new treatments are to hand

With some special cell grafts, he might yet again come to stand

Off they flew to visit, some great medics far overseas

Men that had the means now to cure his harsh disease

 

Even when all hope seems useless, when you want to cry

Read once more this story, and perchance you too may try

To rise again and prosper, to triumph at the last

Never give up on life until the last runes have been cast.

 

©Rhumour,

April 16th 2008

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